New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

Search

STAC Forms and Procedures

STAC (System to Track and Account for Children) and Special Aids is the unit within the NYS Education Department responsible for processing requests for Commissioner's approval for reimbursement. This includes reimbursement approval for students who have been designated homeless. This form is known as the STAC-202 form. SED only uses the STAC-202 forms for reimbursement purposes; however, school districts use the STAC-202 form to collect data on students who have been identified as homeless. Completed STAC forms help districts report on such things as the number of students who are homeless in the school district.

What is the process for tuition reimbursement?

Districts can receive tuition reimbursement from SED for students who are homeless and were last permanently housed in a different district from where they are currently enrolled in school. If the student who is homeless attends the school district of origin, the district of origin is not eligible for tuition reimbursement. If the student who is homeless has decided to attend the local school, and it is located in a different district from the district where the student was last permanently housed, a STAC-202 form should be completed and sent to the STAC Office at SED. The STAC office will send the district partially completed STAC-4 forms for those students. The district must then complete and return the STAC-4 forms to the STAC Office. The state aid officer at the district will be sent an Automatic Verification List (AVL). After the AVL is completed by the district and returned to SED, the district will receive payment. Please contact the STAC Office for more information at: (518) 474-7116.

What is a STAC-202 form?

A STAC-202 form indicates that a student has been designated as homeless, and what school the student will be attending. It can also serve as a reimbursement form for the local school to get tuition reimbursement if the student was last permanently housed in a different district. (N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(d)).

When does a STAC-202 form need to be filled out?

A STAC-202 form should be filled out for each student designated as homeless and attending school in the district. (N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(d)).

Who fills out a STAC-202 form?

Whoever decides where the student will attend school should also fill out a STAC-202 form indicating what school the student is going to attend. Under state law, parents, persons in parental relation, students whose parents are unavailable, and directors of residential runaway and homeless youth programs, may decide where the student will attend school. (N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(d)).

Who gets copies of the completed STAC-202 form?

The form should be given to: 1. SED, if the district is eligible for tuition reimbursement (see question below to determine eligibility); 2. the school district where enrollment is sought; 3. the district where the student was enrolled while permanently housed; 4. the district where the student was last enrolled (if this is different from the former); 5. the parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth/director of a residential program for runaway and homeless youth; 6. the local department of social services if placed in temporary housing by that agency. (N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(d); 8 N.Y.C.R.R. § 100.2(x)(3)).

When should a STAC-202 form be submitted to SED?

District liaisons should submit completed STAC-202 forms to SED for tuition reimbursement when the student was last permanently housed in a different district.

Should STAC-202 forms be submitted to SED if a student is attending school in the district of origin?

The school district of origin need not submit STAC-202 forms to SED, but should keep them on file in the district for record keeping purposes.

Does a new STAC-202 form need to be filled out for the same student each year?

No, the STAC-202 form is open-ended and the STAC office will not change the designation of "homeless" until someone informs them that the student is no longer homeless.

Is a parent/guardian signature necessary to send in the STAC-202 form?

If the parent is unable to sign the form or if the form is for an unaccompanied youth, the person submitting the form can do so without getting the parent's signature.

What is a STAC-4 form?

A STAC-4 form is used for general state aid. After a school district has submitted a STAC-202 form and it has been approved, a partially completed STAC-4 form will be sent to the district. Upon submission of the completed STAC-4 form and AVL (see text box), the district will receive tuition reimbursement.

Does a new STAC-202 form need to be submitted when a student moves from one temporary address to another?

Yes.

Does a new STAC-202 form need to be submitted when a student moves into permanent housing?

No, but the LEA liaison should fill in question number 10, "Date Placed in Permanent Housing," and re-submit the form to the necessary people.

Where can you get a STAC form?

STAC forms are available from all school districts, LEA liaisons, departments of social services, and runaway and homeless youth shelters. (N.Y. Education Law § 3209(2)(d); 8 N.Y.C.R.R. § 100.2(x)(3)).

Where should a completed STAC form be sent?

Completed STAC forms can be faxed to: (518) 402-5047 or mailed to:
New York State Education Department (SED)
STAC and Special Aids Unit
Room 514W EB
Albany, NY 12234

back to top